The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze

一本關於身份、抗爭與希望的成長小說，帶來震撼與感動。

★Derrick Barnes 以真摯且有力的筆觸，刻畫黑人少年的勇氣與內心掙扎。
★強調黑人價值與人性尊嚴，結合歷史與文化元素，引人深思。
★雖有讀者認為部分情節略顯戲劇化，但整體充滿啟發性與教育意義。

13歲黑人少年 Henson Blayze 在密西西比白人主導的小鎮上，以足球天賦被視為明星與救星。然而，當好友遭受警察暴力後，他開始正視種族不公，陷入社會期望與自我認同的掙扎。最終，Henson 選擇站出來，為正義發聲，拒絕成為單純的娛樂工具。

這部作品融合寓言與魔幻現實主義，細膩描繪家庭關係、黑人社群的傳承與韌性，同時探討種族歧視、警察暴行與青春成長。

“Derrick Barnes takes all forms of storytelling available to him­—allegory, folktales, and classics—to weave a novel that is empowered, empowering, and incredibly human. You won’t be the same after reading it.”
—Erin Entrada Kelly, two-time winner of the Newbery Medal

* “Bold, extraordinary storytelling: not to be missed.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* “A powerful tale.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
* “A modern folktale that leaves a damning indictment.” —BCCB, starred review

National Book Award finalist and Newbery Honoree Derrick Barnes tackles timely issues of race and prejudice in this powerful, nuanced novel about an accomplished Black boy who strives to be seen as human.

In the small town of Great Mountain, Mississippi, all eyes are on Henson Blayze, a thirteen-year-old football phenom whose talents seem almost superhuman. The predominately white townsfolk have been waiting for Henson to play high-school ball, and now they’re overjoyed to finally possess an elite Black athlete of their own.

Until a horrifying incident forces Henson to speak out about injustice.
Until he says that he might not play football anymore.
Until he quickly learns he isn’t as loved by the people as he thought.

In that moment, Henson’s town is divided into two chaotic sides when all he wants is justice. Even his best friends and his father can’t see eye to eye. When he is told to play ball again or else, Henson must decide whether he was born to entertain people who may not even see him as human, or if he’s destined for a different kind of greatness.

Written for children ages 10 and up, Derrick Barnes’s groundbreaking novel masterfully combines a modern-day allegory with classic-style tall tales to weave a compelling story of America’s obsession with relegating Black people to labor or entertainment. Spanning the 1800s to today, this exceptional story shows how much has changed over centuries. . . and, at the same time, how little.